The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers program is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in this case.

Victim identified as 30 year old as Dustin Friedland of Hoboken in carjacking/murder at Short Hills Mall

In the 1990s, Essex County led the nation in car theft. With advances in technology, increasingly vehicles are equipped with sophisticated anti-theft devices, making it almost impossible for an amateur to steal an unattended car. As a result, carjackings have been on the rise in Essex County.
For example, in 2009, Essex County had just over 200 carjackings. Every year that number has continued to climb. In recent years, there have been more than 400 carjackings countywide. These crimes occur in the early morning hours and late at night. Sometimes they involve high-end cars, but very often modestly priced vehicles are targeted.

Facebook

Dustin Friedland was only 30 years old, and was murdered by heartless thugs who stole his car.

A silver 2012 Range Rover is being sought by police. Here is the license plate of that car, driven away by suspects in this murder/carjacking.

Photo

1

2

Diane Lilli

Posted
12/15/13

11:25 p.m.

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray and Millburn Police Chief Gregory Weber announced today that the Millburn Police Department and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force are investigating the fatal shooting of a Hoboken lawyer at the Short Hills mall.

Dustin Friedland, 30, of Hoboken was fatally shot yesterday night at approximately 9 p.m. He was transported to Morristown Medical Center where he was pronounced dead shortly before midnight. His wife was with him at the time of the shooting. She was uninjured but was also taken to the hospital.

The Range Rover driven by the couple was located this morning in Newark in the 200 block of Renner Avenue.

At this time the investigation remains active and ongoing. No arrests have been made.

The Essex County Sheriff’s Crime Stoppers program is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspects in this case.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Homicide/Major Crimes Task Force tips line at 1-877-847-7432.

1:15 a.m.

Update: As reported previously, the victim shot in the head, who was 30 years old, was gravely injured. The 30 year old male victim of the carjacking at The Mall at Short Hills was pronounced dead at Morristown Medical Center at 11:45 p.m. on Sunday, 12/15/13.

Now, a manhunt is underway for the two men, who attacked the couple shopping at the Short Hills Mall at about 9:00 p.m. last night.

Their car was on the third level of the parking deck next to Nordstroms, Neiman Marcus and Legal Seafood.

Two black males were involved. After opening the car door for his wife, the 30-year old murder victim was accosted and shot in the head by the assailants.

Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn Murray said the victims had been out shopping, and when they got back to their car to go home were approached by two the two men. The two assailants attacked and shot the husband, after he had opened the door for his wife and then walked to the driver's seat of the car.

There were multiple shots fired against the unarmed victim.

Police locked down the mall when the incident occurred, and numerous

shoppers an employees walked out to a surreal scene when they were let out of the mall, since they did not know what had happened.

I heard about the shooting at 9:25 p.m., and posted the info, though not sure of the severity of the injuries, immediately.

News of this carjacking and shooting did not become widespread until about 10:15 p.m. (see previous alerts, below).

The unidentified couple was not the first ones to be victims of carjackings and violence at the Short Hills Mall.

In 2011 a man was injured during a carjacking at the mall.

In 2009 a victim was carjacked and attacked for her car.

In 2006 two women were also carjacked, and threatened outside American Joe's Restaurant.

In 2002 a West Essex woman was robbed as she entered her car, and was uninjured.

Short Hills is known for its upscale mall, which offers designer stores, valet parking, and 160 stores, restaurants and a large court complete with Santa Claus.

Also, this past August, the Essex county sheriff's office and prosecutor's office launched an anti-car jacking campaign to help stem the growing number of carjackings hitting the area. It is reported that well over 400 carjacking incidents have hit Essex County alone in the past year.

Last August, Essex County launched an anti-carjacking campaign.

“Carjacking is the fastest growing and potentially the most dangerous of crimes against persons and property,” Sheriff Armando Fontoura pointed out at the time. “This public education initiative was devised to warn that law enforcement has teamed up our anti-carjacking efforts and makes clear the serious and long-term consequences of committing such a crime.”

In the 1990s, Essex County led the nation in car theft. With advances in technology, increasingly vehicles are equipped with sophisticated anti-theft devices, making it almost impossible for an amateur to steal an unattended car. As a result, carjackings have been on the rise in Essex County.

For example, in 2009, Essex County had just over 200 carjackings. Every year that number has continued to climb. In recent years, there have been more than 400 carjackings countywide. These crimes occur in the early morning hours and late at night. Sometimes they involve high-end cars, but very often modestly priced vehicles are targeted.

In addition, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office continues to maintain a Special Prosecutions Unit. Three assistant prosecutors are assigned to that unit to handle carjacking cases. The goal is to bring swift justice in these cases.

Updates to follow.

10:10 p.m.

Update: Yet more sources confirm there was a carjacking at the Short Hills Mall tonight, a week before Christmas, during the busiest shopping season of the year.

According to sources, a husband and wife were targeted and the carjacking took place near the mall. Also, it is reported to me but not yet confirmed that the husband was shot and killed. Sources vary on what type of car was hijacked, and it is not yet confirmed.

Though the victim has not been confirmed as dead, his injuries are very grave, according to 3 sources close to the scene.

The carjacking took place in one of the parking garages, at about 9:00 p.m.

Reports have been coming in that there were two assailants, and that a Range Rover and a Subaru were involved.

This is not the first carjacking and violence to hit the Short Hills Mall.

In 2011 a victim was carjacked and attacked for his BMW.

Also, this past August, the Essex county sheriff's office and prosecutor's office launched an anti-car jacking campaign to help stem the growing number of carjackings hitting the area.

Updates to follow.

9:30 p.m.

A source has told the Jersey Tomato Press that someone was carjacked and possibly shot in the head at the Short Hills Mall.

I will confirm now. This is rumor still but source said someone was shot in the head, possibly the driver.